Note on Word Searches, Word Games, Mazes and such –
In order to make these items fit in the two column format of
Baloo’s Bugle they are shrunk to a width of about 3 inches.
Your Cubs probably need bigger pictures. You can get these by
copying and pasting the picture from the Word version or
clipping the picture in the Adobe (.pdf) version and then
enlarging to page width. CD

Transcontinental Obstacle Course:

Alice, Golden Empire Council

Before the pack meeting, set up various
obstacles or required games to represent those the builders of
the transcontinental railroad had to overcome: mountains, deep
gullies to be bridged, not enough workers, bad weather, delays
in getting supplies, bridges burned down, explosions that
blocked tunnels, not enough money. Have families divided into
either Central Pacific, who have to start from Sacramento on one
end of the room or location, and Union Pacific, who have to
start from Omaha at the opposite end of the room. You might
also include a map, or have them delayed while a “surveyor”
makes a map of some area. Use some of the games or facts in the
packet to help lay out your course. Have Promontory Point in the
center of the room – all must wait till everyone arrives, then
have an opening ceremony based on the Driving of the Golden
Spike. This would be a lot of fun in an outdoor location. You
can add to the drama and fun by having everyone come in costume,
and assigning boys to certain roles for the opening ceremony.

All Aboard! Quiz

Alice, Golden Empire Council

Match the railroad slang word with what it
means

1 – Brass Hat A –
Fastest Speed

2 – Frog B
– Where 2 rails meet at a switch

3 – Gandy Dancer C -
Conductor

4 – Highball D –
Railroad Worker

5 – Piggyback E –
Railroad Big Boss

6 – Skipper F –
Trailer on a flat car

Answers - 1.-E., 2.-B., 3.-D., 4.-A., 5.-F., 6.-C.

Which is which?

Alice, Golden Empire Council

Passenger trains carry people and freight
trains carry food, cars, and other products. Which one is
which? What are the differences?

Discussion ideas - The top one is
a passenger train – some of the cars have windows to look out.
The second one is a freight train, with different cars to carry
ore, boxes, pipe or lumber, liquids – but no passenger cars with
windows.

Railroad Safety

Alice, Golden Empire Council

What do these Railroad signs
mean?
What do you do when you see them?

If lights are
flashing and/or arm is down, wait to cross till
lights stop and arm goes up- Never go around the
arm!!! It can take at almost a mile for a fully
loaded freight train to stop!

No bells or
lights – look both ways before crossing

Same as
above – you won’t hear any warning or see lights
flashing

No bells or
lights – look both ways before crossing

Warning that there
are 3 tracks – don’t cross as soon as one train is
done – wait till you can check all three tracks and
make sure they are all clear

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